- Rachel Bistricer
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 hours ago
You’ve shot the footage, the lighting was great, the sound is crisp and you’ve got hours of raw clips sitting on your hard drive. But now comes the moment of truth, turning all those disparate pieces into videos people actually want to watch.
Video editing is where the story truly comes together. It’s the difference between a boring slideshow and a creating a professional video that keeps viewers glued to the screen. But if you’ve never opened an editing timeline before, staring at all those tracks and tools can feel intimidating.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to edit videos, from organizing your files to exporting the final masterpiece. We’ll strip away the complexity and focus on the practical steps that make your content shine.
TL;DR: How to edit videos
Great editing is all about workflow. Here's the breakdown of how to turn raw footage into a video.
Step | Action | Why it matters |
01. Organize files | Sort footage into folders. | Keeps your workspace clean and efficient. |
02. Pick a video editor | Choose a video editor like Wixel. | Gives you the right tools for the job. |
03. The rough cut | Assemble clips in order. | Builds the basic structure of your story. |
04. Refine the edit | Trim clips and smooth transitions. | Improves pacing and flow. |
05. Add audio | Layer in music and sound effects. | Sets the mood and keeps viewers engaged. |
| Adjust looks and add titles. | Adds polish and professionalism. |
07. Export | Save in the right format. | Makes your video ready to share. |
How to edit videos in 7 steps
Ready to get cutting? Follow these seven steps to edit your video.
01. Organize your footage first
Before you drag a single clip into your timeline, you need to get organized. Editing a video can get messy fast if you don't have a system. It's a good idea to create a dedicated folder on your computer for your project, then add subfolders for Video, Audio, Graphics and Music.
Rename your files if they have generic names like "C0012.mp4." Changing them to descriptive names like "Interview_Intro" or "B-roll_Beach" will save you hours of searching later. A tidy project structure lets you focus on being creative instead of hunting for missing files or uploading the wrong ones.
Explore these video ideas for inspiration.
02. Choose your video editor
You have plenty of options, from simple mobile apps to professional desktop suites. The best tool is the one you feel comfortable using. If you're just starting, you might want something intuitive with drag-and-drop features. Wixel, for example, offers powerful, video editor that streamline the process.
Learn more:
03. Assemble the rough cut
This is where you build the skeleton of your video. Drag your best clips onto the timeline in the order you want them to play. Don't worry about perfect timing or fancy transitions yet and just focus on the story flow.
Then ask yourself:
Does the beginning hook the viewer?
Does the middle explain your point?
Does the ending wrap things up nicely?
This rough cut gives you the big picture and it's much easier to spot structural problems now than after you’ve spent hours fine-tuning effects.
04. Trim and refine the pacing
Now it's time to tighten things up and you can do this by going through your timeline and trim the excess fat from the start and end of each clip. You should remove pauses, umms and awkward silences.
Pacing is everything when editing a video. Fast cuts can create energy and excitement, while longer shots allow for emotional moments to breathe. Trust your gut—if a shot feels like it's dragging on too long, it probably is and you should cut it down.
05. Layer in your audio
When it comes to editing a video, the sound is often more important than the visuals. Bad video is watchable bt bad audio makes people click away instantly.
A good tip is to add your background music on a separate track below your video. Always check that the volume doesn't overpower the spoken dialogue.
You can add sound effects (SFX) to emphasize movements or transitions. A subtle whoosh on a text popup or ambient noise, think city sounds or birds chirping, can make a flat video feel immersive and professional.
06. Add text and color correction
Visual polish on a video separates the amateurs from the pros when it comes to great editing. Some universal tips include:
Use text overlays to introduce speakers (lower thirds) or emphasize important points.
Keep your font choice consistent with your brand style.
Then, look at your colors. Is the footage too dark? Is the white balance a bit orange? Most editing software has basic color correction tools. Adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation to make your shots look balanced and vibrant. You don't need to be a colorist just aim for a natural, consistent look across all your clips.
07. Export and share
You’ve watched your edited video ten times and it looks perfect. Now you need to get it out of the editor. Click Export or Share., depending on your video editor. You’ll see a lot of settings to choose from but for most web platforms (like YouTube or social media), H.264 (MP4) is the gold standard.
Check your resolution—1080p is standard but 4K is great if your footage supports it. There are a range of video formats to choose from. Once the file is exported, watch it one last time on your phone and computer to check that everything looks right before you hit upload.
How to edit videos FAQ
What's the best video editing tool for beginners?
There are several great free options including Wixel.
How long does it take to edit a video?
It varies wildly depending on the complexity. of your editing A simple 5-minute vlog might take 2-3 hours to edit, while a highly produced 30-second commercial could take days. As a general rule of thumb for beginners, expect to spend about one hour of editing for every minute of finished video.
